Madang Province

Madang PPC Ben Neneo says the town has been quiet and peaceful after the festive season and they will continue issuing the liquor ban notices to outlets in other parts of the province.

He also warned that any defaulters will be dealt with.

Police expect liquor license holders to respect the Provincial executive council’s decision, which was made for the common good for the people.

Last month the Provincial Executive Council passed a resolution to place a 5-year alcohol ban in the province.

A decision that has not gone down well with SP Brewery.

About five men, armed with a Magnum pistol, held up a staff from an Asian-owned shop – called Most Grace Limited – as he was trying to deposit takings in the nearby bank.

As the suspects were about to leave in a white 10-seater (Toyota Land Cruiser – DAB 851), bystanders grabbed stones and stoned the vehicle.

“In retaliation, the men fired into the crowd, killing the woman instantly,” leader of the Mobile Squad 15 unit on ground, Inspector Michael Yambun, told Loop PNG.

“The immediate dismissal and replacement of the provincial police commander was among the demands raised by the people of Madang in the petition that was presented on April 17,” spokesperson Kamal Naus told Loop PNG.

“A few days after the incident (beheading of the teacher), hooligans gathered at Handy Mart, which is about a hundred metres away from the provincial government office and police station, and started harassing people.

Madang MP Bryan Kramer says most of the law and order issues can be attributed to the fact that most of the trouble makers and drifters from neighbouring provinces have taken refuge in the town area.

“Madang now has become one of the crime capitals of the country, simply because every trouble maker has come to Madang.”

The Member says he intends to work with the Local level Government council and start to carry out social mapping of all Madang land and in terms of settlements, understand who the troublemakers are and ensure that they are evicted from the province.

Yama said instead of protesting, the pressure group should discuss the issues of settlers, law and order and others with him in the Madang provincial headquarters.

“This is the way forward,” Yama stated.

“Issues relating to the people of Madang must always be discussed with the political head of the province.”

He said the timing is not right for such protests as opportunists can use the situation to cause problems.

Yama further reiterated that their concerns must be discussed amicably.

A spokesperson (name withheld) told this newsroom that they disagreed with the way funds were being used as well as appointments being made, hence the tendering of resignation with the Provincial Affairs and Inter-Government Relations Department.

“For example, a cheque totaling over K1 million was issued last Friday while our Treasurer has been sidelined, making way for a crony to take up the post,” alleged the group.

“We hope our resignation will attract attention to the way our province is being run.”

Chief Inspector Ben Neneo says police are monitoring specific locations and the highway to make sure the security of the people is maintained.

Neneo however told this newsroom that the situation was also instigated by certain leaders that provoked local people to take part in a protest calling for the removal of settlers.

"I will not allow for a protest until everything is sorted and normalcy is fully restored to the province."

He added that currently mobile squad 13 is monitoring the situation.

As of 3pm yesterday (April 13), water was restored to Madang residents, including the hospital.

The water supply was affected following the unrest over the death of a Ialibu teacher in Madang.

Acting Madang Provincial Administrator John Bivi told Loop PNG that opportunists vandalised the water supply station at Panin village during the unrest on Saturday (April 7).

The event featured a ground breaking ceremony at the Hululan Plantation outside of Madang, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony at Apex Hall in town.

The launch sees City Mission continue to expand beyond Port Moresby where it has operated for 25 years and Lae since 2004.

Present at the ground breaking at Hululan Plantation were Madang MP Bryan Kramer, Founder of City Mission PNG, Larry George, and Australian High Commission representative, Brendan Peace.

The Madang Provincial Disaster Office says the men’s families reported them missing on Monday 29^th January, when they learnt that the four never arrived in Madang since leaving the island.

To reach Madang Town from Bakbak, islanders have to cross the open sea for at least two hours.

Madang Provincial Disaster Coordinator, Rudolf Mongali, said according to the families, the four left Bakbak Island at 8am Friday morning on a 23-foot dinghy. 

He said weather conditions at that time were not favourable.